Over the next four years the Shasta Blue Strata Pack grew from seven to twelve.

Damian and Angel welcomed two more babies, Ariel, nicknamed Ellie because D.J. couldn’t pronounce it, and Dina. And they were expecting their fourth child soon. They’d already found out that the new baby was a boy, which made Damian and D.J. extremely happy. They had both gotten concerned that they were getting outnumbered by the females in the house.

Jordan and Mindy also welcomed a son, Jeffrey, and a daughter, Mikaela. Jeffrey was born nearly nine months after their honeymoon. After the difficult birth of their daughter, Anita advised them to think long and hard before having any more children. She was concerned that Mindy could lose her life in delivery.

The other addition to the Pack was Jordan’s sister, Roxanne. She surprised everyone when she showed up one morning. It was then that she shared the news that she was planning to become a permanent resident. When Maverick told them all that Roxanne was going to stay with him, it didn’t seem to bother any of them, except Jordan. He was furious.

Jordan and Maverick didn’t speak for several days. And as much as Roxanne tried to intervene and get him to understand, he refused to listen to reason. He was devastated that his sister and best friend were living together, and not mated.

He’d wanted better for his sister. And he knew his father would be livid to find out what she was doing.

“Not everyone has a soul-mate, Jordan,” Roxanne tried to reason with him. “It’s okay to just have someone special you like spending time with. Maybe one day things will change between us, but if they don’t I’m fine with that. Maverick’s a good guy.”

“What’s Dad going to say?”

“He already knows. I told him before I left.”

“No, you didn’t. I don’t believe you.”

“Call him. I’ll admit he wasn’t the happiest I’ve ever seen him, but I told him this was a win-win for everyone,” Roxanne said.

“How’s that? How in the hell is my sister shacking up with some guy a win-win?”

“Jordan, listen. He’s not some guy. He’s your best friend.” She shook her head. “I wasn’t going to be mated. No Alpha was going to want me with my past. Hell, most Betas wouldn’t want me for their soul-mate, either. So, sitting around the house with my parents, pretending that Mr. Right was going to come along and sweep me up, was a delusion. What I found in Maverick is the best I’m going to get, honestly. And he makes me happy. Truly happy. The fact that he even wants me is blessing enough from the Goddess that I’ve found my ‘mate.’”

“Maverick isn’t exactly as pure as the driven snow, either,” Jordan quipped.

“That’s my point. We’re just two wild, carefree souls who have each other. Please, little brother, be happy for us. Please. And talk to your best friend. He really misses you.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

Jordan stood and stormed off to find Damian. He told his Alpha about the conversation he’d had with his sister.

“She has a point, Jordy. We can’t pick who others fall for or love. If we could, you already know Jude would have chosen anyone except Mindy for you. But you were adamant about her. And look at you guys now. You’re both happier than pigs in shit.”

Jordan laughed. “You’re right. But--”

Damian interrupted him. “But nothing. Wait. Here’s a ‘but’ for you. Butt your way out of their business. She’s your sister, and her happiness should mean everything. Maverick’s your best friend. I’ve been biting my tongue through all of this, but I think you’re acting pretty fucked up. You’ve treated him like shit, and all he’s done is be the best possible person and Wolf your sister could have hoped for. It’s time to bury the hatchet once and for all. Go find him and make things right again. Can you do that?”

Jordan felt like an idiot, hearing the words Damian spoke. He was right, and Jordan knew it. Maverick had done absolutely nothing wrong. Jordan was the one who was wrong.

“Yeah. I can,” Jordan said.

“Good. Now scram. I need to go find my absolutely gorgeous mate and give her another hug. She’s my world, and I intend to make sure she knows that every single day.”

“When’s the next little one due?” Jordan asked.

“Any day now. I’m so excited. Another little boy. My little bookends.” They both laughed.

Angel appeared in the doorway and looked out at her soul-mate and Jordan sitting on the porch.

“Hello, my dearest,” she said.

“Hey, beautiful. I was just finishing up with Jordan. Are you okay?” Damian asked.

“I’m fine,” she said. “I just had another idea for our son’s name.”

“I’m all ears,” he said.

“What about Brian?”

“We’ll see about that, my love,” Damian said.

He looked at Jordan and whispered, “She’s going to name the baby what she wants to anyway. I’m not sure why she’s even asking me. Like I have a say in this.”

“Did you just say something, Damian?” Angel questioned.

“Baby, I was just telling Jordan how much I love and adore you, and how happy you make me. So fucking much.”

 

The End